Discrimination Portfolio (Approx. 100 points):
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3.
4.
‘A Class Divided’ (Frontline) Video Reflection (10 points):
a. Discuss your feelings of how the teacher implemented her ‘lesson’ with 3 rd grade
Iowa students. What is your reaction to their interactions with each other?
b. Discuss your feelings of how the teacher implemented her ‘lesson’ with adults.
What is your reaction to their interactions with each other, and with her (the
instructor)?
c. In what scenario would you like to take the ‘collar’ and put it on someone? Try to
offer specifics (a personal story) to why it is your issue that you would like to
confront in the arena of discrimination.
d. WHY DO ‘WE’ DISCRIMINATE? (This is an initial reflection / thought process into
this phenomena …. We will talk more about it as the portfolio continues).
‘This I believe’ statements (discussion - 10 pts):
a. If you did not make a comment or were absent, an email reflecting on the 2
statements will substitute for discussion.
i. http://thisibelieve.org/essay/12459/
ii. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4989625
iii. Milgram’s experiment:
1. What role does ‘authority’ play in the conceptualization of
prejudice / discrimination?
‘Muslims in America’ 30 Days Episode (10 points):
a. Reflect on (email) the following:
i. Begin with a ‘Word Association’ with the word MUSLIM.
1. What are the first 5 words that come to your mind?
2. Where/How did you create your mental concept?
ii. Overall thoughts of the situation / issue presented. How did you view
Dave? Did you empathize with him, or sympathize for him? ARE YOU
RESPONSIBLE (‘I AM’) to defend, respect, and speak out for Muslims in our
society?
iii. What did you learn about the Islamic religion that you did not know?
iv. Could you live ’30 Days’ in a different religion? Discuss your expectations.
v. Describe ‘being Muslim’ in America. What are you thoughts about this topic
(How Muslims are treated in our society)?
Muslims in America (10 research / 10 discussion):
a. Hamtramck, Michigan case study:
i. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1852867
ii. What is your opinion of this reality?
iii. How would you react if it occurred downtown State College?
iv. How do you think our community would react?
v. What is your City Council Vote?
1. Support with 2 pieces of research (annotated) – email prior to
discussion
b. Latino Converts to Islam (NPR audio)
i. http://www.npr.org/2010/12/09/131916271/officials-worry-aboutsome-latino-converts-to-islam
ii. How much does our perceived stereotype / generalization of Islam
(fundamentalism) become a converting factor for the disenfranchised
(Hispanic Americans) of our society?
iii. 1 Resource (annotated) – Email prior to discussion
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7.
‘The Man Behind the Mosque’ Frontline Video
a. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/religion/man-behindmosque/america-and-muslims-by-the-numbers/
i. Speak to the following subsections within this site:
1. Demographics
2. Political Views
3. Americanization
4. Extremism
5. Park51 Controversy
ii. Did any of this information shock you? What did you learn?
iii. What specific point given on this page, most influences the way you think
about this issue? Explain.
b. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/religion/man-behind-mosque/911families-and-the-mosque-controversy/
i. Which of the 3 stories most affect how you think about this situation?
ii. Is your empathy enough to sway your overall thought process / opinion of
the Park51 mosque and it’s location?
iii. How do we as a society balance the stories (& opinions) presented on this
page and the rights of citizens within our society?
What would you do?
a. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystander_effect
i. In your own words, define ‘pluralistic ignorance’
ii. In your own words, define ‘diffusion of responsibility’
iii. Which of the ‘notable examples’ most encapsulate the Bystander Effect for
you personally. Explain.
b. http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/11/10/should-penn-state-cancelits-season/?hp
i. Which of the debater’s essays do you agree most with.
ii. Which do you disagree most with?
‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ (research– 10 points / discussion – 5 points)
a. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/10/us/10gays.html?_r=1&hp
b. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/us/politics/09military.html?_r=1&hp
i. What are your thoughts on this subject?
ii. How do you feel this issue/debate encompasses how our society is
grappling with Homosexuality in the mainstream?
iii. What is your ‘vote’ in regards to policy creation?
c.
d.
e.
f.
Lt. Dan Choi:
i. http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=7568742&page=1
ii. What are your thoughts of his actions?
iii. Should he be re-enlisted?
The ‘I AM’ movement …. And its roots.
i. What are your thoughts about this? Did you agree with the attempt?
ii. Where did it go?
http://www.centredaily.com/2011/11/14/2985687/borough-same-sex-registrygrowing.html#storylink=misearch
i. Thoughts?
ii. Is there a difference in your mind in regards to ‘Marriage’ & ‘Partnerships’?
Is this a step forward, backward, or regardless of flux?
Add a supplemental piece of research (annotated) in regards to your thoughts on
this topic.
8.
‘The Laramie Project’ video reflection - 10 pts
a. Overall thoughts / reaction
b. Is there a difference between a crime and a hate crime?
c. Should the people of Laramie feel guilt, shame, and/or responsibility for the death of
Matthew Sheppard?
d. Annotate a piece of supplemental research in connection to your thought process on
this issue.
9. ‘Prom Night in Mississippi’:
a. Initial reaction to the 1997/2008 realities of the Charleston, MS high school proms?
b. Do you agree with Morgan Freeman when he thought that once a desegregated
prom occurred that there would be no reason to ‘go back’?
c. Should the district allow a continued separate ‘White Prom’?
i. What are your thoughts of the students who go to both?
ii. What if your parents would not allow you to go to the integrated Prom?
1. Would you go anyway?
d. What role does the community, the State, our society have in a case like this? How
can discrimination be combated in a ‘bubble’?
10. Ole Miss ‘The South Will Rise Again’:
a. Reaction?
b. Can a negative historical symbol be ‘redefined’?
c. Should a negative historical symbol be ‘redefined’?
d. http://news.yahoo.com/rebel-flag-still-flying-black-sc-neighborhood075154630.html
e. Confederate Flag student article
11. 60 minutes ‘Huck Finn & the N-Word’:
a. Does the N-word get in the way of a ‘real’ discussion about race?
b. Are there rules with the N-word?
c. What gives a WORD power?
i. Ex. Vagina Monologues (‘This I Believe’)
ii. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5285531
iii. Discuss similarities to our ‘N-Word’ discussion and what the author of this
essay is stating.
d. Even right now, should we be saying/typing/discussing ‘N-Word’ or ‘Nigger’?
12. Action Component – 10 points
a. Reflective email defining and discussing your action in one of the following:
i. Collar yourself (‘A Class Divided’)
ii. Petition yourself (’30 Days’)
iii. Reflect on yourself
iv. Make a Change!